Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

September 13, 2011

Spaghetti with meat sauce is one of my never fail go-to meals. It is especially great to make on a Sunday to have leftovers for Monday. My goal in life is to never have to worry about cooking on a Monday, so Sunday dinners have to be abundant with plenty left for a possible packed lunch the next day, as well as dinner.

A few years ago, after using the jarred tomato / spaghetti sauces and never really being satisfied with the flavor, I decided to make my own. And I will never go back, this is way too easy and way too good!

I almost had to limit seconds with this batch this past Sunday, it came out extra good -- my family loved it!

Ingredients:
1 pound of ground beef {or turkey!}
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/2 cup diced green pepper
3 15 ounce cans of crushed tomatoes
3 ounces tomato paste {half of a 6 ounce can}
1/4 cup beef broth
1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pepper
2 teaspoons dried oregano
4 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning {basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, parsley}
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 tablespoon white sugar


{Your key players!}

{Dice your onion and peppers, you want them to be relatively small.}

{Over a medium low heat, saute in olive oil until they are tender and translucent.}

{Before they start to brown, add your garlic. Fresh cloves would probably be best, but I can't stand the smell of fresh garlic, so I use the jarred stuff. :)}

{Let the onion, peppers and garlic cook together for a minute or two.}

{Before adding the beef {or turkey} to the pan, I like to chop it up some. It makes it easier to break up once in the pan.}

{Add your beef or turkey and mix in / crumble up with the peppers and onion.}

{Once the meat starts to brown, add your first round of seasonings. You want to add half of your spices. 1 teaspoon each of: salt, pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoning salt. }

{Mix the spices in well and let the meat continue to cook through.}

{Next, add your tomato paste.}

{Mix in well with your meat.}

{After adding the tomato paste, add in the beef broth to de-glaze the pan. As it bubbles away, scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.}

{Your meat will be rich and delicious already!}

{But we are not done. :) Add your cans of crushed tomatoes.}

{After adding your crushed tomatoes, add in your second round of seasoning + the dried herbs.}

{Mix in the herbs and spices then add the sugar.}

{Let your meat sauce simmer {covered} over a low flame for about an hour. Your house will smell AMAZING as it bubbles away. AMAZING!}

{After an hour {or longer}, your sauce will be thick, rich and so so so SO GOOD!}

{Serve with al dente spaghetti and ENJOY!}

I also made buttery skillet cornbread {recipe coming soon!} and served with cucumbers & blue cheese dressing.

This meal reminded me of my mom making spaghetti and cornbread for us when were were coming up. And now I am making it for my family. Now that is something to smile about. :)

xoxo, thanks for reading!

37 comments

  1. You have inspired me to get in the kitchen and cook. Although I am cooking for one (until God sends my Boaz) I find myself loving it more and more every night.
    You are teaching us (your followers) how to care not only look good when we step out of the house, but also how to take care of a family. Loving your blog (recent follower) and LOVING it. Don't stop!
    ~SouthFlaCutie

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  2. *You are teaching us (your followers) how to care about how good we look when we step out of the house* -- caught my mistake.

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  3. I swear I can smell this through the screen. Looks delightful!

    www.herperfectblackdress.com

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  4. oooh you make your spaghetti and meat sauce a little differently than mines, I'm going to have to try this next time. This is something I can eat weekly. And can't wait for the cornbread recipe, I've been wanting some for sooo long now for some reason and plan on making it with some beef stew soon.

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  5. your recipe post are sooo awesome! ALMOST as awesome as your fashion post! I've come to look for them on a regular basis! :) sooo awesome..you have inspired me to dress more fly and cook at home more! thank you :)

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  6. NaturallyFashionableWednesday, September 14, 2011

    I just love all your recipes girl......now if I could find time to cook them!

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  7. Keep the recipes coming- I enjoy cooking and swapping recipes!

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  8. This looks awesome as always! Yum.

    http://www.fabellis.com

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  9. Nice. I like to make a seperate meat sauce as well and then top it on the pasta.

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  10. When am I invited over for dinner! Can you be my wife? lol

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  11. I LOVE this recipe - you get down in the kitchen missy. You are the friend in my head and even wish we were neighbors. Ur such a fab wife and mother...and fashionista! Keep up the good work; I adore your blog and your thoughts!

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  12. Sounds really good! One of my favorite things about reading your blog are the recipes! I'm definitely going to have to try this!
    -nancy
    fanceeenanceee.blogspot.com

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  13. I want that skillet cornbread recipe. Cannot wait!

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  14. Girl I don't know how you do it, this looks so good! I grew up wih my mom make spaghetti and cornbread, this reminds me of home.

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  15. I am so glad I'm not the only one that thinks Lexy is my BFF.

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  16. I have to say that looks like the best Spaghetti Sauce ever....and I have to say it because it's almost identical to mine and my family says I make the best Spaghetti ever! LOL! And just today we decided I have to make some tomorrow because I haven't in a while.....seeing a recipe almost the same is mine tells me it's a sign that I must!

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  17. LEXYYYY?? GIRL THIS WAS SOO GOOD...I MADE THIS LAST NIGHT AND YOU GOT ME SMH....The hubby also enjoyed it... Thanks again girlfriend..lol

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  18. YAAAAAY! Leysa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I am so HAPPY you and your hubby enjoyed it! You are more than welcome girlfriend! xoxo

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  19. LOL!! I am not even mad Jolene, great minds think alike! :) Yes! this is a SIGN - make it soon, I know it will be good! :)

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  20. thanks and see, Toya! we have so much in common!!!! :)

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  21. :) coming soon, thanks for reading!

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  22. thanks Nacny, I hope you try it! :)

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  23. *all smiles!* thanks Meke! :)

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  24. Fajr! I have to have you over SOOOOON! for a nice meal, wine and girl talk!

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  25. yes Sing! I love keeping it seperate, to really taste the pasta.

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  26. thanks Ashley!

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  27. I sure will girl, THANKS!

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  28. LOL! thanks Kim!

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  29. so sweet, thanks Tone! :)

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  30. mee too Donna! I can have it weekly and the leftovers are even better! and YES! beef stew and cornbread is the perfect combination!

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  31. LOL! thanks!

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  32. THANKS Cutie!! :) this comment makes me so happy!

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  33. Girl I'm hungrier than a mug right now after seeing this! YUM! I absolutely LOVE spaghetti! I have never had it with cornbread but always with garlic toast or bread. What is skillet cornbread? I have used a cast iron skillet to cook my cornbread in the oven but is skillet cornbread cooked in a skillet on top of the stove? Interesting! I grew up eating spaghetti with the noodles and sauce all mixed together. My momma said that is because back in the day people was "PO" so they had to make it stretch to feed everybody. I guess having the two separate was expensive. I like it both ways, separate or all mixed together, but the sauce most def makes all the difference!! Thanks for sharing. I will most def try! Kiah

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  34. oh my, will have to try this!

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